Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Marys Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.

The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 13,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

Vatican declares Knights of Columbus founder "venerable"

Fr. Michael J. McGivney would be first American-born priest to be declared a saint

New Haven, CT - March 16, 2008 -Pope
Benedict XVI Saturday approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue
of Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. The
pope's declaration significantly advances the priest's process toward
sainthood and gives the parish priest the distinction of "Venerable
Servant of God." If canonized, Fr. McGivney would be the first American
born priest to be so honored.

"All
of us who are members of the Knights of Columbus are profoundly
grateful for this recognition of the holiness of our founder," said
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "The strength of the Knights of Columbus
today is a testament to his timeless vision, his holiness and his
ideals."

Worried
about the religious faith and financial stability of immigrant
families, Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus with the help
of several men of St. Mary's Parish in New Haven in 1882 to help
strengthen the faith of the men of his parish and to provide financial
assistance in the event of their death to the widows and orphans they
left behind. He was also known for his tireless work among his
parishioners.

Born
in Waterbury, Conn., Aug. 12, 1852, Michael Joseph McGivney, was the
first of Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney's 13 children, six of whom
died in infancy or early childhood. His parents, natives of Ireland,
had immigrated to the United States during the 19th century. Patrick
was a molder in a Waterbury brass mill, where Michael himself worked
for a brief time as a child to help support his family.

From
an early age, however, he realized a calling to the Catholic
priesthood. After studying in several seminaries, he was ordained in
that Baltimore's historic Cathedral by Cardinal James Gibbons Dec. 22,
1877. He took up his first assignment, as curate at St. Mary's Church,
New Haven, Conn., Jan. 2, 1878. Father McGivney was named pastor of St.
Thomas Church in Thomaston, Conn. in 1884. He became seriously ill with
pneumonia in January 1890, and died Aug. 14, 1890 at age 38.

The
cause, or process, for Father McGivney's sainthood, was opened by
Hartford Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, in December 1997. The cause was
presented to the Vatican in 2000, where it has been under review by the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints. With the pope's recent decree,
and the authentication of a miracle at Father McGivney's intercession,
the priest could be beatified. A second miracle would be required for
canonization.

Still
maintaining its headquarters in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus is
the world's largest Catholic Fraternal Organization with more than 1.7
million members in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central
America, the Caribbean islands, the Philippines, Guam and, most
recently, Poland.

Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney

God, our Father, protector of the poor and
defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael
J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the
young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of
his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely,
fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is
the Church.

Let the inspiration of your servant prompt
us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work
of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify
your venerable servant Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to
the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I
now present (here make your request). Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.)